Tuesday, 8 March 2016

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 8TH March 2016

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 8TH March 2016

International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities.

The 2016 theme for International Women’s Day is “Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality”.

Theme will also focus on new commitments under UN Women’s Step It Up initiative, and other existing commitments on gender equality, women’s empowerment and women’s human rights.

Int’l Women’s Day being celebrated across the globe

President Pranab Mukherjee will give away Nari Shakti Awards at Rashtrapati Bhawan. In his message on the eve of the International Women’s Day, he extended warm greetings and good wishes to the women of India and thanked them for their contributions over the years in the building of our nation.

Mr Mukherjee said, women have always been given the highest level of respect in our country. He said, on this day, let us redouble our efforts for achieving gender equity and empowerment of women.

UP to felicitate acid attack survivors on International Women’s Day

In Uttar Pradesh, on the International Women’s Day​ , ​the ​acid attack survivors will be felicitated and provided financial assistance in Lucknow​. Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav will honour around 40 survivors with the Rani Laxmi Bai award at his official residence. Other women achievers and change makers will also be felicitated on the occasion.​

Asha Jyoti Centres in 11 districts and 181 helpline will also be launched along with the rescue vans associated with the centres. ​ Among the highlights of the day is a cycle rally in which women from across the state will participate.

Germany to develop Bhubaneswar, Kochi, Coimbatore as smart cities

Germany will partner with India in turning Bhubaneswar into a smart city. State Secretary in the German ministry of Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety, Gunther Adler announced this at a press conference in New Delhi yesterday.

He said along with Bhubaneswar, Germany also wants to be a partner in Coimbatore and Kochi Smart Cities programme in order to assist Indian cities in implementing their plan. He said, the Government of India last year invited Germany to be a partner in its Smart Cities programme.

Iran to resume oil exports to pre-sanction level

Iran says it is aiming to restore oil exports to level that existed prior to western sanctions. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. Iran exported more than 2.6 million barrels of crude oil a day in 2011 before the sanctions.

The sanctions then cut the country’s exports to around 1 million a day. The country’s oil exports are expected to rise to 2 million barrels per day within the first half of this year.

Mr Rouhani said, Iran’s economy grew 3 percent in the current Iranian calendar year, which ends on 20th March. He said, the country would see a leap in economic growth next year.

Telangana, Maharashtra to ink MoU for five irrigation projects

Telangana and Maharashtra governments will be signing Memoranda of Understanding to construct five barrages across Godavari and Pen Ganga rivers.

The two states have already expressed mutual consent to construct barrages at various points on these rivers to benefit farmers in both states. Of the five barrages, Maharashtra Government will take up construction of Rajapet and Penpahad barrages while Telangana will take up Chanak-Korata across Penganga River.

Telangana will also construct Thammidihatti barrage across Pranahita a tributary to Godavari in Adilabad district and Medigadda barrage across Godavari in Karimnagar district.

The two states will share irrigation water from Medigadda. On completion of all these projects, over 18 lakh acres will get irrigation facility in the two states. Irrigation experts say that these agreements between Maharashtra and Telangana on water sharing will script a new history especially when several projects are being delayed due to inter-state water disputes in the country.

ICICI Bank offers ‘work-from-home’ for women

ICICI Bank announced the launch of a work-from-home programme to prevent women employees from dropping out of its workforce.

The company has deployed face recognition technology to facilitate women to work from home and provide access to the bank’s core banking servers under. The programme iWork@ home will enable almost every non-customer facing task to be done from home.

The technology has been developed by ICICI Bank in collaboration with IIT Delhi.

Chanda Kochhar, Managing Director and CEO

Lasith Malinga steps down as Sri Lanka skipper ahead of World T20

Injury-ravaged pacer Lasith Malinga has stepped down as Sri Lanka’s captain for the upcoming World Twenty20 in India following another breakdown during a disappointing Asia Cup campaign in Bangladesh.

Malinga, who led Sri Lanka to their maiden World Twenty20 title in the previous edition, is battling a nagging knee injury.

All-rounder Angelo Mathews, who leads Sri Lanka in ODIs and Tests, will now be the team’s captain in all three formats of the game.

Maria Sharapova provisionally suspended after failing drugs test at Australian Open

Former world number one Maria Sharapova has revealed she failed a drugs test at the Australian Open. The 28 year old Russian star tested positive for meldonium, a substance, she has been taking since 2006 for health issues.

The International Tennis Federation, Sharapova, a five time Grand Slam champion, is provisionally suspended from March 12th pending further action.

World Cup T20: RJio to give free WiFi at 6 stadiums

Telecom operator Reliance Jio will provide free WiFi services at six cricket stadiums during the upcoming T20 World Cup matches.

Reliance Jio will install WiFi network at six stadiums that will be complimentary for audience and provide unlimited access.